substitute

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 ~ (for sb/sth) a person or thing that you use or have instead of the one you normally use or have: a meat / milk substitute * Paul's father only saw him as a substitute for his dead brother. * a substitute family * The course teaches you the theory but there's no substitute for practical experience. * The local bus service was a poor substitute for their car. 2 (also informal sub) a player who replaces another player in a sports game: He was brought on as (a) substitute after half-time. verb ~ A (for B)